How To: Seed Bead Heart Wire

Heart jewelry can be given all year round.

Show your love with a seed bead heart made from jewelry wire. A beaded heart can be used as a pendant for a necklace, bracelet or as a special gift on its own. Choose between silver, copper or even gold jewelry wire, depending on your budget and the look you want for your design. Thicker wire, such as 20 gauge, holds it shape better and is well-suited for this project.

Things You'll Need

• 20-gauge jewelry wire
• Wire cutters
• Bail-forming pliers
• Round-tip needle-nose pliers
• Red, pink or violet seed beads, Size 8 or larger
• Small towel or bead tray

Instructions

1. Cut a 4-inch piece off the 20-gauge jewelry wire to form the heart shape using wire cutters. Silver and gold wire are softer than copper or brass, which are easier to work with. However, a stiffer wire holds it shape better.

2. Curl each end inwards using bail-forming pliers. Hold each end with the pliers and turn it around 360 degrees once to form the circle shapes.

3. Grip the center of the wire with a round-tip needle-nose pliers with the end curls facing up. Bend each side up to create the heart shape.

4. Arrange the seed beads on a small towel or bead tray to keep them in place. Consider making a pattern or use only one color.

5. Open up one of the end curls and thread all the beads onto the wire. Using the round-tip needle-nose pliers, form a tight curl on both ends of the wire to hold the beads into place.

Tips & Warnings

• Use wire to form a pendant holder if you plan on using the heart for a necklace or bracelet.

• Adjust the craft to different sizes of hearts.

• If you use smaller seed beads, change the wire to a larger gauge, which is thinner in width.